Programme Specialist (Risk & Safeguarding), P-3, Fixed Term Position, Islamabad, Pakistan, #00136528

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to a Calling

How can you make a difference?

Risk and Safeguarding Unit was established in 2026 in PCO to drive integrated risk management - Enterprise Risk Management (ERM), Social and Environmental Safeguarding (SES), including PSEA; Programme Implementation Risk Management (PRM/HACT) and Management of operational risks and business continuity and improve effectiveness and achievement of results of UNICEF and its partners to realize the rights and improve the life of every child.

The post reports to the Risk Manager (Safeguarding) in the Risk and Safeguarding Unit (RSU) of the Operations Section. The RSU was established in 2026 to drive an integrated approach to risk management in programming and safeguarding to enhance the quality of UNICEF’s programmes and operations. The RSU is mainly structured around four pillars: i) ERP, ii) Social and Environmental Safeguarding – inclusive of SES/Safeguarding/PSEA, and Complaints and Feedback Management (CFM), and iii) Programme Implementation Risk Management (PRM) – inclusive of the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT), iv) Operational continuity and other institutional risks.
This includes continued development, improvement and rollout of the relevant corporate regulatory framework instruments.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Risk Manager (Safeguarding) at P-4 level, the Programme Specialist (Risk & Safeguarding) provides technical support to programme and operations teams in the implementation of Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) and broader safeguarding functions, including Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), partner safeguarding assessments, and risk mitigation measures.

The position supports an integrated risk management approach that aligns with the global policy framework and global architecture which consolidates SES, safeguarding, and PSEA within a unified risk portfolio. Reporting to the Risk Manager (Safeguarding), the role contributes to strengthened coordination, enhanced accountability, and improved compliance across programmes and operations, ensuring effective safeguarding standards and risk-informed decision-making

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Classified Job Descriptions - Programme Specialist.pdf

To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…

Minimum Requirements:

• Education: Master or equivalent (Advanced University Degree) in International Development, Sociology, Gender Studies, International Development, Humanitarian Affairs, Human Rights, International Law and any other related fields.
• Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in professional experience in programme management, including having worked with the UN and/or INGO with specific focus on coordination, programme management, risk management and community engagement in developing countries is required.
• Skills: Prior experience in analytics, capacity building, networking facilitation, stakeholder communication, workshop facilitation is required.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
• Understanding/experience of major programming tools and process, preferably with UNICEF is an asset. Working in a UN/UNICEF country office and/or experience in humanitarian settings is an asset.
• Specialized training and demonstrated experience in Safeguarding and/or PSEA is an asset. Experience working with the UN harmonized approach, familiarity with UNPP PSEA module, PSEA requirements of other agencies, donor requirements and conditionalities on PSEA is an asset.
• Ability to apply the PSEA framework/tools and risk informed approaches/ flexibilities indifferent contexts and downstream partners is an asset.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates, persons with disabilities and suitable candidates from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.